The battle for San Diego – An off-season mayor’s race in America’s eighth-largest city has become an unexpected magnet for national political groups, as labor unions and Democrats scramble to keep San Diego government in liberal hands and Republicans seek to capture their first big-city mayoral election win in half a decade.

Tech Industry Flexes Muscle in California Race– The race in the 17th Congressional District in California underscores the tech industry’s push to elect candidates who will further its interests, even if it means trying to replace a party stalwart with a relative unknown.

ELECTEDS

10 outrageous government boondoggles – When I first came to Washington nearly 20 years ago, I didn’t set out to become known as a budget hawk—and I didn’t plan to earn nicknames like “Dr. No”—simply by adopting a skeptical approach toward spending taxpayer money. I was merely taking seriously the basic responsibility of a member of Congress: the unglamorous duty of oversight

CASCADIA

Empty Chambers – A senator says he’s got the votes to pass a gun-control bill, but where are they?

No dispensaries in S.H., Lebanon yet – Although City Manager Craig Martin has fielded calls from a few people interested in opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Sweet Home, none has opened shop, at least not as of Monday.

Could Cupertino Go Bust Like Detroit? Cupertino, California is the posh home base for one of the largest, most disruptive and successful companies in the world. And Detroit is languishing inbankruptcy court after becoming the largest-ever municipal filing last summer.

Don’t tear down the skyways! But Minneapolis without skyways – particularly this winter – would be cruel and unusual punishment for folks who must spend their days downtown.

More Detroit pop-ups look to settle down – It’s further proof of the city’s changing retail scene: Small businesses are starting out with temporary openings before committing full-time. The method allows owners to test their products in unsure markets, find what size stores work best and learn about all aspects of running a business— all while having the flexibility to change.

Let’s cut A.C. Gonzalez a little slack – Although not a resident of Dallas, I have devoted my career as an educator to advancing municipal government in Texas by providing a quality graduate education for aspiring city executives. Based on that experience, the following are my observations on the selection process.

Fracking adding to drought – Hydraulic fracturing is competing for water in some of the driest regions of the U.S., including the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas

Editorial: Time to turn ideas into real change for Dallas – Mayor Mike Rawlings, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell and attorney Liz Cedillo-Pereira offered inspiring words of hope. More important, they presented ideas that could bring real change if only the city, and particularly its wealthiest residents, are bold enough to embrace them.

Before You Quit Your Job, Do These 10 Things – While you’re still working a full-time job, Venture for America founder Andrew Yang recommends trying this list of things you can do on the side to explore an idea for a great new business.